Leeds Rhinos 32 Hull 20: Rhinos regain top spot

Peter Smith

Leeds Rhinos regained top spot in First Utility Super League after a hard-fought 32-20 win over Hull at Headingley.

The result will send Rhinos into Friday’s Challenge Cup quarter-final rematch at KC Stadium in good heart, but both sides have injury concerns.

Leeds lost half-backs Liam Sutcliffe and Danny McGuire, while Hull’s Australian second-row Mark Minichiello also went off hurt.

Rhinos led only 24-20 when Fetuli Talanoa crossed for an unconverted try with five minutes left, but Hull conceded a penalty from the re-start, which Kevin Sinfield kicked and then Carl Ablett went in for an unconverted try on the final play of the game.

McGuire’s early try was cancelled out by a Jordan Thompson touchdown, but Joel Moon and Jimmy Keinhorst crossed to give the hosts a 16-6 interval lead.

Curtis Naughton cut the gap, before Moon scored his second. Danny Houghton’s try gave Hull hope but Sinfield booted a penalty after Marc Sneyd and McGuire had been sin-binned before the late flurry of points.

Sneyd kicked two goals for Hull. Sutcliffe landed one for Leeds, with Sinfield adding five from as many attempts.

Handley the centre of attention at Saints and a central figure for Leeds Rhinos